Work glove

ABSTRACT

A glove includes a body portion defining a space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portions extending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions and a thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receiving space. For each finger portion, the plurality of annular ribs is located along a rib section of the finger portion, wherein the rib section of the finger portion has a rib section length that is no more than thirty-three percent of the full length of the finger portion. An end section of each finger portion lacks any annular ribs.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to gloves and, more specifically, toa work glove with ribbing features.

BACKGROUND

Work gloves of a variety of types are known, including gloves having apolymer coating. U.S. Pat. No. 8,719,964 describes one example of apolymer coating and related glove or other article.

FIGS. 1A-1C show a prior art glove 10, with a coating such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,719,964, where the glove also includesribbing features. Generally, ribbing can aid in grip when provided. Theribbing features of glove 10 include ribs 12 on the palm area of thebody portion 15 of the glove and annular ribs 14, 16 on the digitsections of the glove (both fingers and thumb). Each rib is formed by athickening of the glove material, which may be a fabric or, in someareas, a fabric with a polymer coating. The ribs on each finger part ofthe glove include a plurality of annular ribs 14 that extend along abase section 18 of the finger that runs a distance sufficient to run thelength of the proximal phalanges of a wearers hand, past the secondknuckle and onto the initial portion of the wearer's intermediatephalanges. The ribs of each finger part also include a plurality ofannular ribs 16 that extend along a tip section 20 of the finger part,where the wearer's distal phalanges are located. A gap section 22, withno annular ribs, is provided between set of ribs 14 and the set of ribs16. The grip side of the body portion 15 of the glove 10 is made up ofboth a ribbed surface area section 17 and a non-ribbed surface areasection 19. Likewise, the grip side of each digit portion of the gloveincludes ribbed surface area sections 21 and 23 that are spaced apart bya non-ribbed surface area section 25. While the glove 10 provides goodgripping, the extent of the ribbing provided creates other problems.Specifically, excessive bunching in the region of the first knuckleduring finger bend by a wearer, and limited tactile feel at the fingertips. In the glove 10, for each finger portion, the length of the ribbedbase section 18 is at least 30% of the full length of the fingerportion, and combined length of the ribbed base section 18 and the tipsection 20 is at least 55% of the full length of the finger portion.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a glove that addresses oneor more the above-noted issues.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a glove includes a body portion defining a space toreceive a body portion of a hand, and a plurality of digit portionsextending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions anda thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digitreceiving space. Each finger portion includes a full length definedbetween a proximal location and a distal tip of the finger portion,wherein the proximal location is where the finger portion joins the bodyportion. Each finger portion includes a plurality of annular ribs formedthereon, each annular rib comprising an exterior protrusion on thefinger portion resulting from a thickening of a glove material. For eachfinger portion, adjacent ribs of the plurality of annular ribs areseparated by a gap resulting from a thinner segment of glove material.For each finger portion: the plurality of annular ribs are located alonga rib section of the finger portion, wherein the rib section of thefinger portion has a rib section length that runs from the proximallocation to a distal edge of the annular rib that is most distal fromthe body portion, wherein the rib section length is no more thanthirty-three percent of the full length, and wherein an end section ofthe finger portion runs from the distal edge of the annular rib that ismost distal from the body portion to the distal tip of the fingerportion, and the end section of the finger portion lacks any annularribs.

In another aspect, a glove includes a body portion defining a space toreceive a body portion of a hand, the body portion including a grip sideand a back side, wherein the grip side includes a body grip surfacearea, wherein the body grip surface area includes a ribbed body gripsurface area section and a non-ribbed body grip surface area section,wherein the ribbed body grip surface area section includes a pluralityof adjacent ribs thereon, wherein each of the ribs is formed by athickening of a glove material, wherein the non-ribbed surface areasection lacks any ribs. Five digit portions extend from the bodyportion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receivingspace, wherein each digit portion includes a grip side and a back side,wherein the grip side of each digit portion defines a digit grip surfacearea, wherein the digit grip surface area of each digit portion includesa ribbed digit grip surface area section and a non-ribbed digit gripsurface area section. Each digit portion includes a full length definedbetween a proximal location and a distal tip of the digit portion,wherein the proximal location is where the digit portion joins the bodyportion. For each digit portion, the ribbed digit grip surface areasection extends a ribbed length that runs from the proximal location toan intermediate position along the digit portion, wherein the ribbedlength is no more than thirty-five percent of the full length andincludes a plurality of adjacent ribs formed thereon, each of the ribsof the digit portion results from a thickening of the glove material.For each digit portion, the non-ribbed digit grip surface area sectionruns from the intermediate location to the distal tip of the digitportion, and the non-ribbed digit grip surface area section lacks anyribs. A total grip surface area is defined by a combination of the bodygrip surface area of the grip side of the body portion and the digitgrip surface area of the grip side of each of the five digit portions. Atotal ribbed grip surface area is defined by a combination of the ribbedbody grip surface area section of the grip side of the body portion andthe ribbed digit grip surface area section of the grip side of each ofthe five digit portions. The total ribbed grip surface area is between40% and 50% of the total grip surface area.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a back side view of a prior art glove (right-handed);

FIG. 1B is a palm side or grip side view of the prior art glove(right-handed);

FIG. 1C is another palm side or grip side view of the prior art glove(left-handed);

FIG. 2A is a back side view of a glove according to the invention; and

FIG. 2B is a palm side or grip side view of the glove according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, a glove 50 includes a body portion 52 definingan internal space to receive a body portion of a hand, and a pluralityof digit portions 54 extending from the body portion 52. The digitportions include four finger portions 54′ and a thumb portion 54″. Eachdigit portion 54 defines an elongated internal digit receiving space.The glove also includes a wrist portion 56, which may be generallytubular and have elastic qualities for gripping a wearer's wrist.

Each finger portion 54′ includes a full length 60 defined between aproximal location 62 and a distal tip 64 of the finger portion. Theproximal location 62 is where the finger portion 54′ joins the bodyportion. Each finger portion 54 includes a plurality of annular ribs 64formed thereon. Each annular rib 64 is formed as an exterior protrusionon the finger portion resulting from a thickening of a glove material.The glove material may, for example, be a fabric or, in some areas, afabric with a polymer coating. For each finger portion 54′, adjacentribs of the plurality of annular ribs 64 are separated by a gap 66resulting from a thinner segment of glove material. For each fingerportion 54′ the annular ribs 64 are located along a rib section 68 ofthe finger portion, wherein the rib section of the finger portion has arib section length 70 that runs from the proximal location 62 to adistal edge of the annular rib 64′ that is most distal from the bodyportion. Here, the rib section length 70 is no more than thirty-threepercent (33%) of the full length 60 (e.g., length 70 no more than thirtypercent (30%) of length 60). The end section 72 of each finger portionruns from the distal edge of the annular rib 64′ that is most distalfrom the body portion to the distal tip 65 of the finger portion, andthe end section 72 of the finger portion lacks any annular ribs.

It is understood that, as to each finger portion 54′, its full length 60will typically be different than the full length 60 of the other fingerportions 54′, to best match with a typical wearer's hand. Similarly, therib section length 70 of each respective finger portion 54′ willtypically be different than the rib section length 70 of at least someof the finger portions 54′.

The thumb portion 54″ of the glove 50 includes a full length 60″ definedbetween a set location 62″ and a distal tip 65″ of the thumb portion,where the set location 62″ is where the thumb portion 54″ joins the bodyportion 52. The thumb portion 54″ includes a plurality of annular ribs64″ formed thereon, where each annular rib 64″ is formed by an exteriorprotrusion on the thumb portion resulting from a thickening of the glovematerial. Adjacent annular ribs 64″ are separated by a gap 66″ resultingfrom a thinner segment of glove material. The annular ribs 64″ arelocated along a rib section 68″ of the thumb portion, wherein the ribsection 68″ has a rib section length 70″ that runs from the set location62″ to a distal edge of the annular rib 64″ of the thumb portion that ismost distal from the body portion 52. The rib section length 70″ is nomore than thirty-three percent (33%) of the full length 60″ (e.g.,length 70″ no more than thirty percent (30%) of length 60″). The endsection 72″ of the thumb portion runs from the distal edge of theannular rib 64″ of the thumb portion that is most distal from the bodyportion 52 to the distal tip 65″ of the thumb portion, and the endsection 72″ of the thumb portion lacks any annular ribs.

The above-described configuration improves glove performance. Inparticular, limiting the length of ribbed section 68 ensures that theribs 64 do not extend to and past the second knuckle of a wearer's hand,which reduces bunching when the wearer's fingers bend to grip an object.Moreover, by having no ribs on the full end section 72 of each fingerportion 64, adverse impact to the tactile feel of the wearer's fingersis reduced.

The body portion 52 of the glove 50 includes a grip side, shown in FIG.2B, and a back side, shown in FIG. 2A. The grip side includes a bodygrip surface area 84, which is made up of a ribbed body grip surfacearea section 84 a and a non-ribbed body grip surface area section 84 b.The ribbed body grip surface area section 84 a includes a plurality ofadjacent ribs 86 thereon, wherein each of the ribs 86 is formed by athickening of a glove material, and the non-ribbed surface area section84 a lacks any ribs.

Each digit portion includes a grip side, shown in FIG. 2B, and a backside, shown in FIG. 2A. The grip side of each digit portion defines adigit grip surface area 88, wherein the digit grip surface area 88 ofeach digit portion includes a ribbed digit grip surface area section 88a and a non-ribbed digit grip surface area section 88 b.

A total grip surface area of the glove is defined by a combination ofthe body grip surface area 84 of the grip side of the body portion 52and the digit grip surface areas 88 of the grip side of all of the fivedigit portions 54. A total ribbed surface area is defined by acombination of the ribbed body grip surface area section 84 a of thegrip side of the body portion 52 and the ribbed digit grip surface areasections 88 a of the grip side of all of the five digit portions. Thetotal ribbed grip surface area of the glove 50 is between 40% and 50% ofthe total grip surface area of the glove 50 (e.g., between 44% and 46%of the total grip surface area).

In this regard, the body portion 15 of the prior art glove 10 includes agrip surface area made up of ribbed surface area section 17 andnon-ribbed surface are section 19, and each digit includes a digit gripsurface area made up of the ribbed surface area sections 21 and 23 andnon-ribbed surface area section 25. The total grip surface area of glove10 is made up of surface area sections 17 and 19 on the body portion andsurface area sections 21, 23 and 25 on all of the digit portions. Thetotal ribbed grip surface area of the glove 10 is made up of surfacearea section 17 of the body portion and the surface area sections 21 and23 of all of the digits. The total ribbed grip surface area of the priorart glove 10 is more than 60% of the total grip surface area of theglove 10.

Thus, the glove 50 provided herein, has reduced ribbing compared toglove 10, but the glove 50 provides better overall performance ascompared to glove 10.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended byway of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by wayof limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove, comprising: a body portion defining aspace to receive a body portion of a hand; a plurality of digit portionsextending from the body portion, including a set of finger portions anda thumb portion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digitreceiving space; wherein each finger portion includes a full lengthdefined between a proximal location and a distal tip of the fingerportion, wherein the proximal location is where the finger portion joinsthe body portion; wherein each finger portion includes a plurality ofannular ribs formed thereon, each annular rib comprising an exteriorprotrusion on the finger portion resulting from a thickening of a glovematerial; wherein, for each finger portion, adjacent ribs of theplurality of annular ribs are separated by a gap resulting from athinner segment of glove material; wherein, for each finger portion: theplurality of annular ribs are located along a rib section of the fingerportion, wherein the rib section of the finger portion has a rib sectionlength that runs from the proximal location to a distal edge of theannular rib that is most distal from the body portion, wherein the ribsection length is no more than thirty-three percent of the full length,and wherein an end section of the finger portion runs from the distaledge of the annular rib that is most distal from the body portion to thedistal tip of the finger portion, and the end section of the fingerportion lacks any annular ribs.
 2. The glove of claim 1, wherein, foreach finger portion, the rib section length is no more than thirtypercent of the full length.
 3. The glove of claim 1, wherein the thumbportion includes a full length defined between a set location and adistal tip of the thumb portion, wherein the set location is where thethumb portion joins the body portion; wherein the thumb portion includesa plurality of annular ribs formed thereon, each annular rib of thethump portion comprising an exterior protrusion on the thumb portionresulting from a thickening of a glove material; wherein adjacentannular ribs of the plurality of annular ribs on the thumb portion areseparated by a gap resulting from a thinner segment of glove material;wherein, for the thumb portion: the plurality of annular ribs arelocated along a rib section of the thumb portion, wherein the ribsection of the thumb portion has a rib section length that runs from theset location to a distal edge of the annular rib of the thumb portionthat is most distal from the body portion, wherein the rib sectionlength of the thumb portion is no more than thirty-three percent of thefull length of the thumb portion, and wherein an end section of thethumb portion runs from the distal edge of the annular rib of the thumbportion that is most distal from the body portion to the distal tip ofthe thumb portion, and the end section of the thumb portion lacks anyannular ribs.
 4. A glove, comprising: a body portion defining a space toreceive a body portion of a hand, the body portion including a grip sideand a back side, wherein the grip side includes a body grip surfacearea, wherein the body grip surface area includes a ribbed body gripsurface area section and a non- ribbed body grip surface area section,wherein the ribbed body grip surface area section includes a pluralityof adjacent ribs thereon, wherein each of the ribs is formed by athickening of a glove material, wherein the non-ribbed surface areasection lacks any ribs; five digit portions extending from the bodyportion, wherein each digit portion defines an elongated digit receivingspace, wherein each digit portion includes a grip side and a back side,wherein the grip side of each digit portion defines a digit grip surfacearea, wherein the digit grip surface area of each digit portion includesa ribbed digit grip surface area section and a non- ribbed digit gripsurface area section; wherein each digit portion includes a full lengthdefined between a proximal location and a distal tip of the digitportion, wherein the proximal location is where the digit portion joinsthe body portion; wherein, for each digit portion, the ribbed digit gripsurface area section extends a ribbed length that runs from the proximallocation to an intermediate position along the digit portion, whereinthe ribbed length is no more than thirty-five percent of the full lengthand includes a plurality of adjacent ribs formed thereon, each of theribs of the digit portion results from a thickening of the glovematerial; wherein, for each digit portion, the non-ribbed digit gripsurface area section runs from the intermediate location to the distaltip of the digit portion, and the non-ribbed digit grip surface areasection lacks any ribs; wherein a total grip surface area is defined bya combination of the body grip surface area of the grip side of the bodyportion and the digit grip surface area of the grip side of each of thefive digit portions; wherein a total ribbed grip surface area is definedby a combination of the ribbed body grip surface area section of thegrip side of the body portion and the ribbed digit grip surface areasection of the grip side of each of the five digit portions; wherein thetotal ribbed grip surface area is between 40% and 50% of the total gripsurface area.